Once
we got back from the shipyard and open to the public, those who
weren’t familiar with the situation figured it was time for us to
kick back and relax. That was far from the case. With all the
publicity we got from our visit to the shipyard and the trip back up
river, our attendance for July has been at an all time high. It’s
been a wonderful reception, and it has really kept us on our toes.

I
had a running joke with the shipyard supervisors asking if they were
going to hire me when the my Board found out I was running a
million-dollar scam to get a twelve-week paid vacation in Staten
Island. The intense pressure to get the ship ready for visitors
when we got back almost made the shipyard time seem like a vacation.
The issue of getting the ship physically ready was top priority.
There were four PODS storage containers on the pier taking up parking
spaces that had to be emptied. Then all the storerooms on the ship
had to be put back together, displays had to be set up, and new
guides had to be trained. The mountain of work that had to be
accomplished in the shortest time possible made the twelve weeks in
the shipyard look like a cakewalk.

Then
there was the issue of all the stuff in the PODS. That had to go
back on the ship as quickly as possible, but we didn’t just want to
dump it in the storerooms. We wanted things organized. Tommy Moore
began building additional shelving in the aft magazines. In the
meantime, we decided to write off the aft compartments C-202L and
C-203L and use them as temporary storage for the gear that was to be
stowed in the aft magazines. That included all the uniforms, teak
decking, IC electrical parts, and signal flags.

First
we tried to organize what we had aboard the ship. Piles of
dishes, mess trays, and galley gear that are surplus to our immediate
needs were moved from C-307A forward and consolidated in A-405A.
Fifty boxes of rate badges in A-405A were moved aft to C-307A so they
would be more accessible as gift shop stock. Magazine A-306M, which
was full of bunk bottoms, bunk chains and bedding, was cleaned out
and moved down a deck so that 20 boxes of chambray work shirts could
be moved up. That consolidated the shirts in one place and made them
more accessible for the crew.

Next
we began to tackle the PODS. We started with POD four, as we
counted from north to south. POD four contained boxes of dishes,
which all went forward. Then the gas masks all went aft into C-309A.
Uniforms and teak decking went temporarily into C-202L until the
shelving could be completed in magazine C-304M. Ventilation ductwork
went into A-402C. And Katie Kuhl’s precious archival storage
boxes all went into the depth charge magazine C-305M. That took care
of POD 4.

POD
3 was full of electrical parts: 12” signal lamps, flood lights,
battle lanterns, radio gear, antenna insulators and water tight door
parts, all of it heavy. We were fortunate to have Boy Scout
Troop 279 come down on Saturday July 12th. They helped
our regulars haul everything out of POD 3. Boat’s Haggart
lowered it all into B-2 in the forward motor room, where it sits on
the upper level in piles until shelving can be built on the lower
level. That took care of POD 3.

POD
2 was full of signal flags. Boy Scout Troop 279 had been working
on them while we were in the shipyard, but there was still a lot to
do. Over the course of the first week back, we did a quick survey of
the flags. We cut off all the snap hooks and rings, made up three
large trash bags of rags, threw away another four bags that were
unsuitable, even as rags, and kept the best six of each flag and
pennant. We bundled all these and hauled them down to C-202L. Chief
Ed Wakeman came in for a week from Ohio to help us sort things
out. He got all the flags stowed down in their permanent home,
C-307A, as well as all the boxes of rate badges. Three PODS down,
effectively opening up five more parking spaces.

The
last POD contained boxed financial records and museum uniforms.
The problem was that the uniforms destined for the special
collections space was filled up with other gear, waiting for shelving
to be built in the magazines. And the financial records were destined
for the forward reefer, which was filled with electrical gear from
the storeroom below. That’s Gary Sheedy’s storeroom,
A-408A, and perfectionist that he is, he didn’t want to junk up his
storeroom until he had it spray painted. He did manage to get the
deck and compartment painted over the first couple of weeks in July,
and now is carefully consolidating and organizing all our electrical
spares, as well as moving spares in that were scattered around other
parts of the ship. It’s really amazing what we have accumulated.
And Rosehn’s reefer is now cleared out and just awaiting a
group of volunteers who can move the boxes and uniforms back aboard.
That will clear out the last of the PODS.

One
of the first volunteers to go to work was Chief Smith who gave the
galley a thorough cleaning and who started feeding the crew again.
Jim Gelston got all the clocks remounted, wound and set. Boats
Haggart and the deck crew had a lot to do over the course of the
month. First, of course, was rigging all the cables and lines
with chaffing gear. The cargo nets had to be rigged under the
gangways. Next, it was the accommodation ladder, the cargo net, and
repairs to the snaking. Then he was busy cleaning up the anchor
windlass room, and rigging the fantail awning. When all that was
done, Boats could finally get into the project that he really wanted
to do, cutting and splicing the new mooring line. All of our mooring
line is now over 15 years old, so while we were in the shipyard we
purchased 1,800 feet of three strand nylons to replace the mooring
lines. As I type this newsletter, Boats is happily engaged in
teaching and making eye splices with Walt Stuart, Thomas Scian,
and Paul Guarnieri.

The
shipfitters, Doug Tanner, Tim Benner, Super Dave Mardon, and
Earl Herchenroder, have been working to reinforce the steel
aft gangway. Chief Clark Farnsworth and Gene Jackey
have been fabricating new ladders to replace the wasted ladders in
water tanks C-10W and C-11W. Now, if we can just find someone small
enough to get into the tanks and bolt them in. At 92 years old, Clark
is still doing bench work, though he uses two canes to get aboard. He
says that he really doesn’t need the second cane, he keeps it handy
to beat Super Dave.

Barry
Witte and his students Sam Spicer, Colin Steve, Zach Flagler, Cory
Hendrick and Griffin Keegan played a major role in unloading the
PODS. Since then they have been restoring the firemain and
cooling piping for the ship’s service generator in B-3. They are
taking the system apart one piece at a time, cleaning up flanges,
overhauling valves, making new gaskets, and putting it all back
together with new hardware that Barry purchased out of his own
pocket. These kids are getting a real education in the right way to
overhaul a system.

The
engineers are still trying to get over the loss of Gus Negus, and
it’s a loss from which we will never fully recover. Their
priority this month has been to help Rocky Rockwood get the
whaleboat back into the water and up to SLATER. Gus was the expert on
the whaleboat’s diesel. So Karl Herchenroder, Mike Dingmon,
Gary Lubrano and Ken Myrick have been working to fill the
void. As of this writing the engine has been tested and the boat is
due to return to SLATER on August 4th.

The
Radio Gang had a special presentation for RM1/c Joe Breyer, for
keeping the watch on the trip upriver. He was awarded the USS
SLATER “Ancient Mariner Award 2014” for being the oldest Navy
radioman on “Active Duty.” The citation read, “Presented to
RM1 Joseph F. Breyer for conspicuous gallantry in single-handedly
continuing to man Radio Central during the northbound journey of USS
SLATER up the Hudson River. During the cruise, RM1 Breyer suffered an
RF burn to his hand, battled voracious mosquitoes on deck, and
successfully negotiated his sleeping sack.” Things in the radio
shack will get back to normal when Jerry “ Mopar Man” Jones
is finished with car show season.

This
year, Heather is excited to welcome back three returning interns, in
addition to four new ones. Vincent Knuth
has returned for his fourth season, and is glad to be starting at
Albany Law School this fall, while Julianne
Madsen is returning
for her fifth season and is currently going for a Master's Degree at
The College of Saint Rose. Dan
Kastanis is joining
the intern crew for his second season, and is currently enrolled at
Hudson Valley Community College. Also enrolled at HVCC is new intern
Andrew Smith, who
is a historical reenacting enthusiast. New this season is Jon
Palmer, a recent Siena
College graduate with well-rounded maritime-related experience.
Recent graduate from the University at Albany, and Navy veteran,
Heinz Granderath,
and current University at Albany history student Claire
Burgon, make up the
rest of the seasonal interns. Heather is overwhelmed with their
collective enthusiasm and genuine interest in not only the history of
the ship, but the restoration process as well.

USS
SLATER has had a lot of day camp visitors, including YMCA groups and
home school groups over the course of the month.
On July 18th, the
parking lot filled with Jeeps as we hosted the Tri-County
Jeep Club for a
rally that included a tour of the SLATER. On the July 21st,
we hosted the China
Ready Fam tour, in
conjunction with the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The group included many young ladies who were a most interested and
enthusiastic group. The high point of the month for me was when this
old man was asked, “Are you married?” The answer is “Yes, 37
years.” Thanks to Gina
Mintzer for the
photo!

Then
there has been some great press.
In the July 25thMetroland,
in their "Best of the Capital Region 2014 Edition," cited
USS SLATER as The Best Historic Site. They wrote “The
only original destroyer escort left from World War II, the Slater,
continued its 15-year restoration from rusting hulk to National
Historic Landmark (and one of the area’s most popular attractions)
earlier this summer when it underwent a 90-day, out-of-water,
million-dollar overhaul in Staten Island (entirely funded by private
donations), including a new paint job that colorized its navy gray to
snazzy ocean camouflage." On behalf of the whole SLATER crew, we
appreciate the support of the Metroland staff.

And
then on Friday July 25th,
USS SLATER was used as a clue on Jeopardy! The
$400 question was “The USS SLATER, a World War II Destroyer Escort,
is now a Museum in this ‘Empire State’ Capital.” Nobody could
remember if the contestants got the question right or not. Nobody
here was expecting it, but using the power of Facebook, Fred Robbins
had us a screen shot within 15 minutes.

We’re
coming up on the Fall Work Week season. If you are serious about
working on USS SLATER, there will be two USS SLATER Work Weeks this
fall, and readers are encouraged to volunteer. Space is limited.

The
USS HUSE Veterans will be aboard Sunday, September 7 - 12, 2014.
If you have not already done so, contact George Amandola at
610-789-5105, or email gamand@aol.com or Dave Perlstein at
561-368-7167, email dbp14@hotmail.com with the subject header SLATER
WORK PARTY in order to confirm. You don’t have to be a HUSE former
crew member to participate.

The
Joint DESA Michigan Chapter/USS SLATER fall work week will be October
5-10, 2014. If you want to sign up, contact Dick Walker at
616-676-1392 or email cascadeWalker@cs.com, or Tim Rizzuto at
518-431-1943 or email tim@ussslater.org

You’ll
join shipmates from many states, so we will have lots of new “Sea
Stories.” Bunking is aft in C-202L and C-201L. You can sleep
in your "Ole Rack" if it’s open. We will be eating on the
Mess Deck; food will be cooked in the Ships Galley. We divide up the
food costs at the end of your stay, approximately $10 per day. We
make the work assignments on Monday morning, depending on your skills
and what fits you best. Expect to take a turn at mess cooking and
night security watch, too.

Bring
your sleeping bag or bedding, towels, toilet kit, medications, and
work clothes for a week. We provide mattresses, heads, and hot
showers. It’s Albany, so plan for cool weather. Bring work
clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on. Also, bring a bucket,
sponge, rags, paintbrush, paint roller and any special tools you
think you may need. Showers are available aboard, but laundry is not.
Bunks are rigged with mattresses and vinyl covers. For some reason,
the lower bunks are preferred these days. Plan to arrive Sunday
between 1000 and 1700. Departure is Friday at 1600. You don’t have
to stay for the whole week. Any help we can get is appreciated. But,
remember, you must make a reservation in advance. And, there will be
paperwork to complete if this will be your first time.

Work
assignments are assigned according to your skill and ability.
Most projects involve chipping, painting, and cleaning. If you have a
special skill such as welding, electrical, or mechanical talent,
please let us know. Also, let us know of any physical limitations you
may have.

The
age limit is 14 years old and everybody should expect to bear a hand.
This can be a great intergenerational experience, and you don’t
have to be a DE Sailor or even have been in the Navy to participate.
You just have to want to help the SLATER. Just remember that
pre-registration is required and space is limited.